The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Qualification, Priorities, Accessiblity, Recycling, Housing

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Steve Asbach:

I served as 2nd Ward Council person for 20 years from 1984 to 2004.

Answer from Linda K. Carberry:

Since moving to St. Bernard seven years ago, I've watched the city change due to past financial mistakes. Now that we are, finally, in the "black" + it's time to make St. Bernard a place where people want to live and work. I am very active here because I love the city.

Answer from Barbara M. Kalb:

I have 14 years experience serving the City of St. Bernard. I served the city as Law Director from 1988-1991 and served as a member of city council from 1986-1987 and have been on council since 1998. During those years, I have help develop and update city ordinances, fought for more open government, and have worked hard to see that the citizens of St. Bernard are well represented through my efforts.

Answer from Mike Schildmeyer:

4 yr Director of Recreation City of St. Bernard 10 yrs Council at Large City of St. Bernard Life Time resident City of St. Bernard

Answer from Patty Hausfeld Howell:

I am a lifelong resident of St. Bernard who has been politically involved for the past 32 years. I am a very hard worker who loves my city. I have worked hand in hand with the public for the past 20 years in customer service.

Answer from Bill Burkhardt:

I have 10 years experience on city council and 4 yrs on the recreation department. I served on the Finance, Service, Safety, Business & Industry, & Laws, Contracts, & Claims Committees. I have also help negotiate one of the previous Service Dept. contract.

Answer from Bill Burkhardt:

To work closely with the Department Heads to keep our costs down in all areas. To push for continued work on our streets & sewers. To try to work with the 3 depts. to work towards a safer and better St. Bernard.

Answer from Linda K. Carberry:

We are right in the center of Greater Cincinnati. I will help our city return to the inviting community it once was. I want to give people a reason to get off I-75 and visit us, then live here and stay here. Children in St. Bernard need to be able to see jobs in their future and good schools in order to raise their own families. A senior housing facility is a must. Hometown folks won't have to move away because they need care. I want to turn Vine St. into a fresh center for commerce.

Answer from Mike Schildmeyer:

Address South Vine Business District + Owners of Buildings & Business for input on what they would like to see and need + address citizens on what they would like to see the South Vine St. area develop in the near future. Work with owners of open lots on how the city can help them develop open lots + or market open lots + readdress time line for street improvement.

Answer from Patty Hausfeld Howell:

Hiring a city manager to run the daily operations of our city will hopefully ensure that new ideas are not put on the back burner. It will allow a professional to work full time in providing senior housing and attracting new business and residents to vacant properties. I realize that council positions are part time and I am not afraid to work with a professional and experienced city manager to ensure that resident's ideas and concerns are addressed.

Answer from Steve Asbach:

I would work with the building department to adopt a tougher set of codes. I would ask the Police Chief to start, or pass on information to me, a Crime Watch Program. I would like to start the process to hire a City Manager. I feel that this is a step in the right direction to work toward an overall improvement of the City.

Answer from Linda K. Carberry:

Make this a permanent city ordinance. If a business is not easily accessible, they don't operate here. Going forward, we must build a senior residence with an elevator.

Answer from Barbara M. Kalb:

It is important that we make sure that all public facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. I have always encouraged the city to comply with all ADA requirements where appropriate. Many intersections along Vine Street has audible signals to help sight-impaired persons safely cross the street and I would continue the city's practice of providing handicapped parking where required and requested by residents.

Answer from Mike Schildmeyer:

Most of the city has been addressed to ensure public access for people with disabilities, if there are some public facilities that need improvement to this issue we direct council & the development director to look into.

Answer from Steve Asbach:

Whatever steps are necessary. I believe that all of St. Bernard's facilities are accessible, but if not correct the problem.

Answer from Patty Hausfeld Howell:

By being the daughter of a father that spent most of his last years in a wheel chair I know the importance of having our city be handicapped accessible. I will work with the City Manager to ensure all city facilities are accessible to everyone.

Answer from Mike Schildmeyer:

Our service department for the city has a great recycling service & is in constant up date improving.

Answer from Linda K. Carberry:

We are a recycling city, using Rumpke. What I hope for is to find a way to cut down more on plastic and styrofoam trash. Still + some households comply, some don't. St. Bernard must make this move more important.

Answer from Barbara M. Kalb:

Recycling is an important service that the City of St. Bernard provides to its citizens. I would like to see more residents participate in the program. It saves the city landfill fees as well as increases revenues through the current reimbursement program. Education is the main way that the city can encourage participation.

Answer from Patty Hausfeld Howell:

I will educate the public on the values of recycling, not only for the city, but for every resident. I will encourage residents to recycle by recycling myself.

Answer from Steve Asbach:

St. Bernard has been recycling for years, but an increase in participation would be a goal.

Answer from Steve Asbach:

I would recommend that people contact Hamilton County to assist in this process.

Answer from Mike Schildmeyer:

Currently we (the city) are working to find a lot or area to develop Senior Citizen's housing with addressing locating, lot size, accessibility to community service. City is tight on land development for this size of development and is on constant look for a site.

Answer from Linda K. Carberry:

We have properties here with buildings that can no longer be of use. Those need to be bull-dozed and replaced with brand new homes that are not all over-priced. I would persuade local financial institutions to offer specialty loans for families who low on income but high on priorities. People could then commit to St. Bernard citizenship.

Answer from Patty Hausfeld Howell:

I would work on learning about various interest loans and home improvement programs.

Answer from Barbara M. Kalb:

Housing in St. Bernard is affordable because our housing stock is very old. I would encourage all citizens to maintain and upgrade their properties which helps maintain and increase property values. Houses that need too much renovation can be cost prohibitive. Our HIP program in St. Bernard enforces our property maintenance code to help ensure that our housing stays affordable.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.